Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content


 Significant Developmental Delay


The term significant developmental delay refers to a delay in a child’s development in adaptive behavior, cognition, communication, motor development or emotional development to the extent that, if not provided with special intervention, the delay may adversely affect a child’s educational performance in age-appropriate activities. The term does not apply to children who are experiencing a slight or temporary lag in one or more areas of development, or a delay which is primarily due to environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage or lack of experience in age appropriate activities. The SDD eligibility may be used for children from ages three through nine (the end of the school year in which the child turns nine). [See 34 C.F.R. § 300.8(b)]

Preschool Special Education​

The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B Section 619 is intended to help states ensure that all preschool‐aged children (3 through 5 years of age) with disabilities receive special education and related services. The Georgia Department of Education is the State Education Agency that is responsible for general supervision and monitoring of this provision. In Georgia, preschool-aged children with disabilities receive their special education and/or related services in their local school districts.

Download:

Online Resources:

 Contact Information

​Barbara Ross
Georgia Department of Education
1562 Twin Towers East
205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
678-444-0571
Barbara.ross@doe.k12.ga.us​